Early Spring on Long Island begins the migration of many familiar birds returning to our area. On Sunday, March 1, 2015, the Young Naturalist Club members were given a lesson on those backyard birds that stay for the winter and those that migrate south. The children gathered around in the Brookside library to listen as Miss Juliane read them a story about migrating species. They were amazed to hear about the long distance the tiny ruby-throated hummingbird travels each year, from as far north as Canada down to Central America. The children have seen this visitor in our Butterfly Garden on the Brookside property and look forward to its return.

Why birds migrate, how far they travel and what they eat were discussed. The children were given a map of the Northern Hemisphere noting arrival and departure dates of the ruby-throated hummingbird.

Following their lesson, members assembled around the table and chose a picture of a familiar bird to color. As the snow blew down, muffling the sounds outside and carpeting the grounds, the children were completely absorbed in their task of coloring. Using the beautiful reference books from the Brookside library, and a multitude of colored pencils and crayons, the children were steadfast in embellishing the pictures they chose. Variations in detail by Vanessa, Julianna and Erin could be seen in their renditions of ruby-throated hummingbirds. Josie,Gabby and Joseph chose brilliants reds to illustrate the favored “red bird” or Northern Cardinal. Even three year old Anthony was excited to join in the creativity with scissors, glue and crayons!

Click to enlarge photos – Photos Courtesy of Janet Gremli